Technology

Online Common Core Testing Lays Bare Tech Divide in Schools

Published

11 years ago

May 11, 2015

In this April 30, 2015 photo, students line up to take part in new Common Core-aligned standardized tests at the Cuyama Valley High School in New Cuyama, Calif. (AP Photo/Christine Armario)

Christine Armario and Sally Ho, ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW CUYAMA, Calif. (AP) — Nestled between mountains 60 miles from the nearest city, students at rural California’s Cuyama Valley High School use Internet connections about one-tenth the minimum speed recommended for the modern U.S. classroom.

So when it came time to administer the new Common Core-aligned tests online, the district of 240 students in a valley of oil fields and sugar beet farms faced a challenge.

New Cuyama has no access to fiber optic cables. Some residents live entirely off the grid, relying on solar power and generators. The local telephone company provided a few extra lines, but that only bumped speeds a few megabits.

“We tripled our capacity but it’s still woefully inadequate,” said Paul Chounet, superintendent of the Cuyama Joint Unified School District.

Across the country, school districts in rural areas like New Cuyama and other pockets with low bandwidth are confronting a difficult task: Administering the new standardized tests to students online, laying bare a tech divide in the nation’s classrooms.

Overall, 63 percent of public schools don’t have access to broadband speeds needed for digital learning. The problem is particularly acute in rural and low-income districts: Only 14 percent in those areas meet high-speed internet targets.

“It’s just very uneven all over the country,” Lan Neugent, executive director of the non-profit State Educational Technology Directors Association.

The Federal Communications Commission approved a $1.5 billion spending cap increase for school broadband and Wi-Fi last year that is expected to significantly boost connectivity. State grants linked to Common Core implementation and collaborations with tech and business leaders are also bridging the gap. But those initiatives could take a year or more to connect thousands of schools and testing started in 29 states and the District of Columbia for 12 million students this year.

In the meantime, they’re resorting to alternatives: Testing students in small groups, busing them to other schools and limiting all other internet access while exams are taken.

On a recent testing day in New Cuyama, 11 students filed into the high school’s small computer lab. Even with such a small number of test takers, students said they’d gotten kicked offline and had to log in again.

“It got me off track,” said Brian Olivas, 17.

The Common Core standards adopted in 43 states and the District of Columbia provide uniform benchmarks for what students should know in each grade in reading and math. To aid their adoption, two groups of states received grants from the U.S. Department of Education to develop new assessments required to be computer based.

By administering the tests online, educators can test more skills. Students can be asked, for example, to demonstrate how they would conduct a science experience or solve a math problem, rather than just bubble in an answer.

Some states were already administering their tests by computer. The vast majority, however, had to quickly bring their technology and infrastructure up to speed.

A survey by the Center for Education Policy found most districts had concerns about hardware and internet speeds and more than half said they didn’t expect to have the technology infrastructure in place to administer the test until this year or later.

The tech challenges come as the Common Core standards and testing face continued resistance. Thousands of parents in New York and a handful of other states chose to opt their children out of the new exams this year. And the standards have already become fodder for the 2016 presidential elections, with early Republican contenders like senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz dismissing them as a federal intrusion forced on students, even though they were adopted by states.

Ideally, technology can help eliminate achievement gaps between poor and rural students and their more affluent peers. The shift to online testing, however, reveals how wide the digital divide remains. Districts like Chicago Public Schools with large numbers of low-income students have raised questions about whether their students — who often don’t have access to a computer or the Internet at home — are at a disadvantage.

“The implementation of Common Core is bringing these issues more to the forefront,” said Brian Smith, executive director of the nonprofit Education Trust-West. “But this has been an issue that has plagued communities of color and low income communities for years.”

Nevada, Montana and North Dakota all dealt with crippling outages at the hands of their test maker, Measured Progress and Smarter Balanced consortium, believed to be linked to a server capacity issue traced down to initial coding problems. Florida, Colorado, New Jersey and other states also experienced glitches.

In light of those issues, some districts have resorted to the paper test.

In New Cuyama, Chounet expects to get internet speeds up to the recommended 100 megabits per second by next year with the help of a state grant that will connect schools to higher bandwidth.

Chounet said those updates can’t come quick enough.

“Even though we’re isolated we have to provide students the technology skills,” he said. “When they leave here, that’s going to be the expectation.”

Associated Press writer Sally Ho reported from Las Vegas.

Follow Christine Armario on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cearmario.

Follow Sally Ho on Twitter: http://twitter.com/1sallyho.

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Starting This Summer, California Car Buyers Can Get an Instant $3500 Off the Cost of Electric Vehicles

OAKLAND POST — Beginning later this summer, eligible Californians can receive a $3,500 rebate on new zero-emission vehicles with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of up to $50,000. Buyers purchasing qualifying used electric vehicles priced at up to $25,000 can receive a $1,750 rebate. The rebate will be applied directly at participating dealerships, allowing buyers to receive the discount immediately instead of waiting for reimbursement.

Published

1 week ago

July 26, 2026

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By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

California residents purchasing their first zero-emission vehicle will soon be eligible for an instant rebate of up to $3,500 under a new state program aimed at making electric vehicles more affordable.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 168 on July 16, creating the MyFirstEV program as part of California’s 2026-27 state budget. The initiative dedicates $135.5 million in state funding for point-of-sale rebates, which participating automakers will match dollar for dollar. State officials said the combined investment will provide $270 million in savings for first-time electric vehicle buyers.

Beginning later this summer, eligible Californians can receive a $3,500 rebate on new zero-emission vehicles with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of up to $50,000. Buyers purchasing qualifying used electric vehicles priced at up to $25,000 can receive a $1,750 rebate. The rebate will be applied directly at participating dealerships, allowing buyers to receive the discount immediately instead of waiting for reimbursement.

“With our new instant rebate program for electric vehicles, we’re making it easier for families to drive clean, breathe clean, and keep more money in their pockets,” Newsom said in a statement.

The MyFirstEV program is part of a broader $600 million investment in California’s clean transportation economy included in the state budget. The funding package also provides $150 million for the Community Air Protection Program, $19.8 million for the Clean Cars 4 All program for lower-income residents, $35 million for clean off-road equipment through the Air Quality Improvement Program, $135.5 million for the Clean Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project, and $130 million for the Carl Moyer Program to replace older heavy-duty engines with cleaner alternatives.

According to the governor’s office, the transportation investments are funded through Cap-and-Invest revenue and smog-abatement fees while maintaining a balanced state budget.

California continues to expand its zero-emission transportation network. The state surpassed 2.5 million cumulative zero-emission vehicle sales earlier this year, exceeding its original goal of 1.5 million sales by 2025. Officials also reported that California has more than 200,000 public and shared electric vehicle charging plugs statewide, in addition to an estimated 800,000 home charging stations.

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Surveillance Pricing Fight: State Senate Debates Bill Banning Retailers from Using AI to Set Prices Based on a Buyer’s Profile

OAKLAND POST — Currently, there is no precise public data quantifying how many Black residents in California are actively affected by surveillance pricing. However, because the practice leans heavily on ZIP codes and localized demographic tracking, algorithmic pricing models frequently result in higher costs for Black and non-white communities compared to others, according to the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), a leading nonprofit organization defending civil liberties in the digital space

Published

1 week ago

July 26, 2026

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By Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media

Surveillance pricing—the algorithmic practice of using personal data to determine individualized costs for goods and services—is widespread in California, according to Assemblymember Chris Ward (D-San Diego). He warns that this system is actively impacting consumers across the state, and Black Californians could be specifically targeted.

Ward’s Assembly Bill (AB) 2564, the Surveillance Pricing Act, aims to prohibit businesses from using this practice.

“Surveillance pricing is a growing phenomenon that a lot of people don’t realize is already happening,” Ward told California Black Media (CBM) at the State Capitol on June 29.

On June 22, the bill passed out of the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee with a 5-2 vote and was re-referred to the Committee on Judiciary for consideration. On May 27, the Assembly voted to advance AB 2564 with a 42-21 vote.

Currently, there is no precise public data quantifying how many Black residents in California are actively affected by surveillance pricing. However, because the practice leans heavily on ZIP codes and localized demographic tracking, algorithmic pricing models frequently result in higher costs for Black and non-white communities compared to others, according to the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), a leading nonprofit organization defending civil liberties in the digital space.

Justin Brookman, a public-interest lawyer, supports AB 2564. His organization is an official sponsor of the bill. He advocates on behalf of Consumer Reports.

“We found that people shopping for the exact same item at the exact same time, and the exact same store, were getting different prices. In some cases, up to 23% higher,” Brookman said. “So, one person looking at a jar of Skippy peanut butter, it was $2.99. Another person, same exact time, it was $3.69.”

AB 2564 is primarily opposed by a coalition of corporations and technology industry associations. They argue that the bill’s language is overly broad, outlaws common consumer-friendly discounts, and creates costly litigation risks for small businesses.

Chamber of Progress – a tech industry association that lobbies for public policies that expand digital commerce and technological advances – says that banning data-driven personalization would wipe away targeted digital coupons that families count on to prolong their budgets.

In a March 18 written letter to the Assembly Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection, Robert Singleton, senior director of Policy and Public Affairs for California and the U.S. West at the Chamber of Progress, urged the body to oppose AB 2564.

“We share the legislature’s concern about affordability,” Singleton wrote. “The cost of living is the top issue facing American families, and we understand the impulse to ensure consumers are getting a fair deal. But this bill risks backfiring on the families it aims to help.

Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) supported and voted for the bill in the Assembly on May 27, but she still has questions about a “litigation risk” that could be costly.

“Every business or retailer that is spending their time battling courts is spending resources, which drives the cost up for everyone,” said Wilson, a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC).

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Business

Smart Home Technology is Becoming a Tool for Preventing Property Damage

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Leak detectors, security systems, and connected alarms can warn owners before problems spread. See which smart home technology offers the greatest protection.

Published

2 weeks ago

July 23, 2026

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Connected leak detectors, alarms, cameras, and climate controls can warn owners before a small problem spreads. The strongest protection comes from systems that can also act, especially water monitors that automatically stop a leak.

A hidden pipe leak can soak floors before anyone sees a drop. A failed furnace can freeze plumbing overnight. A forgotten appliance can create a fire risk while the owner is away.

Modern home technology changes how owners respond to household risks. The relationship between home and technology now centers on prevention instead of reaction. Connected systems can watch for moisture, smoke, carbon monoxide, unusual access, temperature shifts, and electrical hazards.

Early warnings create time to act. Automated responses add another layer of protection. Remote access also helps owners respond while traveling or working.

Owners who choose the right tools may limit property damage and protect the home’s long-term condition.

How Can Smart Home Technology Prevent Property Damage?

A smart home is a residence that uses internet-connected devices for remote monitoring and control. Smart systems can prevent damage through:

Detection
Notification
Automatic action

A central app or hub may connect:

Sensors
Locks
Alarms
Thermostats
Appliances

Leak sensors can warn owners about moisture near:

Sinks
Water heaters
Washing machines
Sump pumps

Advanced systems can also close the main water valve.

Fast action can keep one failed hose from destroying property across several rooms. Owners may receive an alert within seconds, even when they are away from home.

Which Smart Home Devices Offer the Greatest Protection?

Water protection often provides the greatest direct benefit because leaks can spread quietly.

Whole-home monitors and automatic shutoff valves can detect unusual water flow. Some systems can stop the water supply when nobody is present.

Other valuable smart devices for the home include:

Connected smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Security cameras
Door sensors
Smart locks
Temperature monitors

Protection improves when a device can send an alert and trigger a useful response.

Water Protection Gives Owners the Fastest Response

Water-related issues often escalate quickly, making early detection and response critical for minimizing damage. Understanding how to monitor and control water risks sets the foundation for the strategies discussed in the following sections.

Place Leak Sensors Near Common Failure Points

Real-time alerts can help owners respond before water harms building materials or supports mold growth. Place moisture sensors near:

Dishwashers
Toilets
Washing machines
Water heaters
Sump pumps
Sinks

Point sensors only cover nearby areas. Whole-home monitors track water flow or pressure throughout the property. Automatic shutoff systems offer stronger protection because they can stop continued leaking before an owner arrives.

A sensor provides a warning, while an automatic shutoff valve can directly limit the damage.

Monitor Freezing and Humidity Risks

A smartphone thermostat can warn an owner when indoor temperatures leave a safe range. Freeze alerts protect plumbing in:

Vacant homes
Rental properties
Seasonal residences

Humidity alerts may reveal an air-conditioning or ventilation failure before damp conditions support mold growth.

Connected Alarms Reduce Fire and Security Risks

Smart smoke and carbon monoxide alarms send warnings beyond the home. Remote alerts support faster action when nobody is present.

Some systems can:

Contact a monitoring service
Unlock doors for emergency responders
Shut down connected equipment
Turn on the lights during an emergency

Connected security systems combine:

Cameras
Motion sensors
Window alarms
Doorbells
Smart locks

Recorded footage may support a later insurance claim. Visible cameras and timed lighting may also discourage entry attempts.

Security technology cannot guarantee that a break-in will never happen. Early alerts can still help owners contact authorities, verify activity, and reduce the amount of time an intruder remains inside the property.

Build a System That Still Works During Failures

Dependable Wi-Fi is a starting point for connected devices. Owners should also plan for:

Outages
Weak signals
Dead batteries
Expired subscriptions
Failed software updates

A practical setup should include:

Local alarms, in addition to phone alerts
Battery or cellular backup, where available
Strong passwords and current firmware
Manual keys and water shutoff access
Updated emergency contact information

Unique passwords, regular updates, careful camera placement, and reputable products can reduce exposure.

Backup access also matters when a smart lock, mobile app, or network fails. Owners should always have a manual way to enter the property and control essential systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Smart Devices Lower Home Insurance Costs?

Some insurers offer discounts, rebates, or credits for approved leak detectors, alarms, monitoring services, and automatic shutoff systems. Requirements vary by:

Insurer
State
Property type
Device certification

Owners should confirm eligibility before purchasing equipment.

A discount should remain a secondary benefit. Preventing a loss carries more value because avoiding a claim can:

Protect the home
Reduce disruption
Prevent an insurance deductible

Resources from Shieldly Premier Insurance Solutions may help owners consider prevention tools as part of a broader property protection plan.

How Should Rental Property Owners Use Smart Sensors?

Rental owners should focus on devices that protect units and reduce maintenance delays. Water sensors can alert property managers before leaks become major repairs.

Smart locks may create temporary access codes for maintenance teams. Thermostats can also flag unsafe temperatures between tenants.

Owners should disclose connected equipment, follow privacy laws, and limit cameras to lawful exterior locations. Indoor cameras should never be used to monitor private tenant spaces.

What Cybersecurity Steps Protect Smart Home Systems?

Owners should change default passwords and enable multifactor authentication. Firmware and mobile applications should receive regular updates. A separate Wi-Fi network for connected devices can add protection when the router supports it.

Access for former residents, contractors, and service providers should be removed promptly. Owners should also review:

Application permissions
Video storage settings
Data-sharing policies

A secure hub matters because one weak device may expose other connected systems.

Use Home Technology to Strengthen Everyday Protection

Effective home technology gives owners earlier warnings and greater control. Leak detectors, automatic shutoff valves, connected alarms, security sensors, smart outlets, and climate monitors can limit damage when installed in the right locations.

No device removes every risk. Strong protection still requires regular maintenance, safe habits, updated insurance coverage, and a clear emergency plan.

Explore our other guides and articles for practical news about protecting homes, managing risks, and making informed property decisions.